Leki Wanderfreud Single Pole (Spring 07)

Excellent, quality product ; recommended as a wading staff
I am a dedicated fly fisher who uses the Leki Wanderfreund (hiking friend or buddy) as a wading staff in the heavy currents of freestone rivers in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Admittedly this is considerably different than using this Leki as a hiking aid "with a knapsack on my back". However, my Leki WF makes a superb wading staff for several reasons: (1) the locking system offers ease of use in the river and flawlessly allows tight lockdown of the two lower sections when more length is called for; (2) the WF has the strength and integrity to provide stability in "hairy" situations, even when fully extended; (3) the carbide tip provides excellent purchase on freestone river bottoms with rock sizes from hardball to suitcase and beyond. The tip finds the gaps and allows quick release when changing position without disjointing as shock cord type staffs tend to do. The wide rubber tip is suitable for wade support in non-freestone bottoms such as sand, mud, or muck. Use of the carbide tip in areas of heavy woody structure is recommended; (4) the cork handle is designed as if intended for wading,i.e. horizonal grip is available for extended length stability with pressure applied from the shoulder normally with the tip angled away from the nearest foot; shorter extension use of the right angle cane type grip complete with thumbhole provides a strong grip allowing intense downward pressure from shoulder to river bottom; (5) this beauty is not affected by use in fast moving rivers and streams. After a few uses, the sections can be taken apart for easy cleaning and removal of grit or other river detritus. Leki could easily market this product as a "Watenfreund" (wading buddy).

pretty good
Very usable handle shape and very sturdy. Plan to use it for wading. I was pretty rough with it and it handled all well.

Excellent, quality product ; recommended as a wading staff
I am a dedicated fly fisher who uses the Leki Wanderfreund (hiking friend or buddy) as a wading staff in the heavy currents of freestone rivers in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Admittedly this is considerably different than using this Leki as a hiking aid "with a knapsack on my back". However, my Leki WF makes a superb wading staff for several reasons: (1) the locking system offers ease of use in the river and flawlessly allows tight lockdown of the two lower sections when more length is called for; (2) the WF has the strength and integrity to provide stability in "hairy" situations, even when fully extended; (3) the carbide tip provides excellent purchase on freestone river bottoms with rock sizes from hardball to suitcase and beyond. The tip finds the gaps and allows quick release when changing position without disjointing as shock cord type staffs tend to do. The wide rubber tip is suitable for wade support in non-freestone bottoms such as sand, mud, or muck. Use of the carbide tip in areas of heavy woody structure is recommended; (4) the cork handle is designed as if intended for wading,i.e. horizonal grip is available for extended length stability with pressure applied from the shoulder normally with the tip angled away from the nearest foot; shorter extension use of the right angle cane type grip complete with thumbhole provides a strong grip allowing intense downward pressure from shoulder to river bottom; (5) this beauty is not affected by use in fast moving rivers and streams. After a few uses, the sections can be taken apart for easy cleaning and removal of grit or other river detritus. Leki could easily market this product as a "Watenfreund" (wading buddy).

pretty good
Very usable handle shape and very sturdy. Plan to use it for wading. I was pretty rough with it and it handled all well.